Louver type window blind



Oct. 30, 1962 E. o. BOPP ETAL LOUVER TYPE WINDOW BLIND Filed Jan.

2 Sheets-Shegt 1 INVENTOR. EDWHRD OTTO BOPP BY ERNEST THYLOR wmmm,$mm,mw

HTTORN Y Oct. 30, 1962 E. 0. BOPP ETAL LOUVER TYPE WINDOW BLIND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 20, 1956 f7 TTORNE YS United States Patent Ofiice 3,061,005 Patented Oct. 30, 1962 3,061,005 LOUVER TYPE WINDOW BLIND Edward Otto Bopp and Ernest Taylor, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to Edgar K. Orr, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Filed Jan. 20, 1956, Ser. No. 560,361 Claims. (Cl. 160-176) This invention relates to movable window louvers and more specifically relates to new and improved apparatus for controlling the movement of such louvers.

An object of our invention is to provide in a movable louver blind for a window that may have a considerable expanse, new and improved apparatus of simple and inexpensive construction and operation for easily and smoothly moving the louvers about individual axes and transversely across the window opening.

Another object of our invention is the provision in a louver blind for a window, novel apparatus which is extremely compact and is readily and easily assembled in the manufacture thereof for controlling the traverse movement and rotation of the louvers.

Still another object of our invention is to provide improved louvered window blinds, the louvers of which may be rotated and moved across the window opening only by controls which are located on the inner side of the blinds to thereby restrict access into the room through the blinds from the outer side thereof.

A further object of our invention is the provision in a louvered window blind wherein the louvers are mounted for rotation on individual axes and for traverse movement across the window, of highly novel and improved louvercarrying carriage assemblies which completely enclose the mechanism for transmitting rotary motion to the louvers and thereby substantially prevent deteriorating media such as dust from being collected in the mechanism.

A still further object of our invention is to provide in a window blind of the type having louvers which are movable across the window opening and are also rotatable on individual axes, improved louver mountings which enclose rotation transmitting mechanism and which are guided for free and easy movement longitudinally along the rotary drive shaft.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation View of the invention mounted in a conventional window opening;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section view, partly broken away and taken on a substantially vertical plane as indicated at 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the invention with a portion thereof broken away and being taken on a substantially vertical plane as indicated at 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section view with portions thereof broken away and being taken on a substantially horizontal plane as indicated at 44 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detail section view taken on a substantially vertical plane as indicated at 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view of a carriage assembly; and

FIG. 7 is a detail vertical section of the worm gear and rotary interconnection for the blind hook.

The invention, comprising a louvered window blind or shade, indicated in general by numeral 10, is shown mounted upon a conventional window casing C which.

surrounds and defines a window opening. In the form shown, the window blind 10 is arranged with the louvers 11 thereof extending vertically and it is to be specifically understood that the louvered window blind 10 could as well be arranged with the louvers extending horizontally.

,The invention includes a pair of elongated and rigid support members 12 and 13 which are substantially identical and which comprise channels defining elongated interior openings 12a. and 13a. Each of the support members 12 and 13 has an elongated guide member 14 and 15 respectively which define a portion of the channel and which face inwardly of the window opening, guide member 14 facing upwardly, and guide member 15 facing downwardly. The guide members 14 and 15 have elongated guide openings 16 and 17 formed therein. These guide openings 16 and 17 extend longitudinally of the support members 12 and 13 and substantially throughout the length thereof. Support members 12 and 13 are disposed in widely spaced relation with each other and are substantially parallel. The support members are secured to the window casing by suitably formed brackets which are attachable by means of screws to the window casing C. The brackets 18 have outstanding arms 18a which extend transversely outwardly from the window casin and transversely of the support members 12 and 13. Each of the brackets 18 is secured to the corresponding support member by means of a clip 19. The clip 19 has its end portions 19a turned upwardly and inwardly to be received into the grooves 12c and 13s of the support members 12 and 13. One of the end portions 19a of each of the clips 19 is slotted to receive the outstanding arm of brackets 18 therethrough. Clips 19 may be formed of spring metal material so as to resiliently urge the support members 12 and 13 down out the bracket arm 18a.

Means are provided for securing the upper and lower end portions of the louvers to the support members 12 and 13 to be supported thereby. In the form shown, such means include a plurality of carriages or carriage assemblies indicated in general by numeral 20. Each of the carriages 20 is provided with a substantially enclosed and sealed housing 21 which is formed with a pair of outstanding lugs 22 on the opposite ends thereof. Housings 21 are disposed within the upper and lower support members 12 and 13 and are adapted for movement longitudinally therethrough. Each of the housings 21 is provided with a pair of vertically extending projections or guides 23 which slidably engage the inner surface of corresponding guide member 14 or 15. The guide projections 23 are disposed, in the form shown, on opposite sides of the guide opening in the corresponding guide member engaged thereby.

Carriages 20' are each provided with a rotary interconnection 24 adapted for connection to the end of one of the louvers 11. The rotary interconnection includes a hollow rotary shaft 25 which is journalled in a suitable bearing provided in housing 21 and which extends inwardly toward the window opening and through the guide slot in the corresponding guide member. The inner end portion of the tubular shaft 25 is substantially closed by means of an apertured plate 26 which is affixed thereto. Plate 26 has a slot opening or aperture 26a extending therethrough and adapted to slidably, but non-rotatably receive the shank 27 of hook 28 therethrough. The end of the louver 11 is carried by hook 28. It Will be seen that the shank 27, in the form shown, is of complementary shape relative to the rectangular opening or apertures 26a in the plate 26. Means are provided for anchoring the shank 27 in the rotatable shaft 25, and in the form shown, such means include a compression spring 29 which extends longitudinally through the central opening of the tubular shaft 25 and which bears against the plate 26 and against the lower end of shank 27 to which it is affixed. Spring 29 maintains tension on the louver 11.

Means are provided for mounting the carriages 29 within the respective support members 12 and 13. In the form shown, such means include frames 30 which are carried in each end of each of the support members 12 and 13. Each of the frames 30 is secured in its respective end portion of the corresponding support member by means of a cover plate 31 which is secured thereto as by screws. A pair of elongated rotary drive shafts 32 and 33 are respectively mounted in the support members 12 and 13 and extend longitudinally thereof. Each of the shafts 32 and 33 is journalled at its opposite end portions in the frames 30 by means of bearings 3tta. Rotary drive shafts 32 and 33 are of substantially identical construction, and in the form shown, are square in cross section. As best seen in FIG. 5, each of the drive shafts extends through all of the carriages in the corresponding support member.

A rotary power transmitting mechanism is provided in each of the carriages 20 for supporting the housing 21 on the corresponding drive shaft and for transmitting rotary power to the rotary interconnection 24 thereof. In the form shown, the mechanism in each of said carriages 20 includes a worm 34 having a square axially disposed socket opening 35 formed therein to receive the drive shaft therethrough. The housing 21 has an opening or chamber 36 therein which is shaped complementary to the worm 34 for engaging substantially the entire periphery thereof. The chamber 36 in housing 21 opens to the exterior thereof in both axial directions to permit the end portions of worm 34 to extend to the outer surface of the housing and thereby provide a maximum of surface for slidably engaging the corresponding drive shaft. The rotary power transmitting mechanism also includes a worm gear 37 which is mounted within a cylindrical chamber 38 in housing 21 and which is disposed in side by side relation with the worm 34, and on an axis extending normal to the rotation axis of the worm 34 and drive shaft. The interior chambers 36 and 38 of housing 21 are disposed in intercommunicating relation to carry the worm 34 and worm gear 37 in driving relation. Worm gear 37 is formed integrally of the tubular rotary shaft 25, and is also of tubular construction to provide a central opening through which the hook shank 27 extends. The spring 29 is guided in the co-extending central openings of the worm gear 37 and shaft 25. The worm 34 and worm gear 37 of the rotary power transmitting mechanism provide an irreversible rotary power connection between the drive shaft and the rotary interconnection 24. Rotary power may be transmitted only in one direction, that is, from the drive shaft to the rotary interconnection 24, and rotary power may not be transmitted from the rotary interconnection 24 to the drive shaft.

Means are provided for rotating in synchronism with each other, the upper and lower drive shafts 33 and 32 respectively. In the form shown, such means include a pair of rotary power transmitting mechanisms which are indicated in general by numeral 39 and which are disposed in corresponding ends of the support members 12 and 13 and in opposed relation with each other. The rotary power transmitting mechanisms 39 are substantially identical and are best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. Each of the mechanisms 39 includes a shaft 40 which extends horizontally on an axis which is disposed normal to the rotation axis of the drive shafts 32 and 33. Shaft 40 is secured to the frame 30. A sprocket wheel 41 having a mounting 42 is journalled on the shaft 40. A pinion gear 43 is also affixed to mounting 42 and is thereby drivably connected to the sprocket wheel 4-1. Pinion gear 43 is disposed substantially centrally between the opposite sides of the support member and adjacent the drive shaft. Pinion gears 44 are afiixed to the end portions of shafts 32 and 33 adjacent the pinions 43 and are meshed therewith in driving relation. Both of the pinion gears 43 and 44 have large teeth and perform the same functionas bevel gears might perform but are substantially more inexpensive than bevel gears. An arcuate and substantially semi-circular chain guiding element 45 is also secured to the frame 30 and disposed around the sprocket wheel 41. The chain guiding element 45 opens inwardly toward the window opening.

The rotary power transmitting mechanisms 39 are interconnected and synchronized by an elongated flexible rotary control element 46, which in the form shown, comprises an endless link chain which is trained over the sprockets 41 and extends between the lower and upper support members 12 and 13. A suitable opening is provided in each of the guide members 14 and 15 of support members 12 and 13 to permit the chain 46 to pass therethrough and around the sprockets 41. It will be noted that the control chain 46 is disposed inwardly from the inner side of the louvers or slats 11.

Means are also provided for causing the louvers 11 to traverse across the window opening and for controlling the longitudinal shifting movement of the carriages 29 on the drive shafts 32 and 33. In the form shown, such means include a pair of controllable traverse assemblies 47 which are carried opposite each other in corresponding ends of the support members 12 and 13. The traverse assemblies are substantially identical and include a horizontally disposed shaft 48 extending transversely of the rotation axes of drive shafts 32 and 33. A rotary mounting 49 is journalled on the shaft 48 and has a pair of drive sprockets 5t) and 51 affixed thereto. Rotary guide sheaves 52 are journalled for individual rotation on the shafts 40 at the opposite ends of the support members 12 and 13, and are disposed substantially in alignment with the sprockets 51. A pair of elongated and endless flexible drive elements 53 and 54 are disposed within the support members or channels 12 and 13 and are trained over the sprockets 51 and sheaves 52. Each of the flexible drive elements 53 and 54 have portions thereof constructed of link chain 55 and 56 respectively, and each of the drive elements 53 and 54 also have a portion thereof constructed of cable 57 and '58 respectively. The chain portions 55 and 56 are trained over the sprockets 51 to drivably connect the flexible drive elements 53 and 54 therewith. The cable portions 57 and 58 are trained over the sheaves 52 to be guided thereby. The upper runs 53a and 54a of the flexible drive elements 53 and 54 are atfixed as by clips 59 to the left-central carriages 20a which are located substantially centrally of the support members 12 and 13 and which are secured through their respective rotary interconnections to the opposite ends of a single louver 11. The lower runs 53b and 54b of flexible control elements 53 and 54 respectively are affixed as by clips 59 to the right-central carriages 20b which are disposed adjacent the carriages 20a and as viewed in FIG. 3, to the right thereof. The traverse control assemblies 47 are interconnected for synchronized operation by an elongated and endless traverse control element 60, which in the form shown comprises a chain which is trained over and drivably connected to the sprockets 50.

Means are also provided for limiting the maximum spacing between adjacent carriages in the support members. In the form shown, such means include elongated flexible spacer elements 61, 62, 63 and 64 which are constructed, in the form shown, of fabric tape material. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, spacer elements 61 and 62 are disposed in the lower support member 12 and are respectively secured to the opposite ends thereof by hooks 65 and 66. Tapes 61 are disposed on opposite sides of the adjacent carriages 2t) and are provided with a plurality of spaced grommets 61a. The grommets 61a of tapes 61 are secured on the lugs 22 of the left-center carriage 20a and of the carriages 20 disposed to the left thereof. The tapes 62 are also disposed on opposite sides of the adjacent carriages and are provided with spaced grommets 62a which are secured on lugs 22 of the rightcenter carriage 20b and the other carriages 20 disposed to the right thereof. Thetapes 63 and 64 in the upper support member 13 are connected in a fashion similar to that of tapes 61 and 62.

Means are also provided for supporting the central portions of drive shafts 32 and 33 and for limiting the inward movement of the left center and right center carriages 20a and 20b respectively. In the form shown, a pair of interconnected support bearings 67 and 68 are secured in each of the support members 12 and 13, substantially midway between the ends thereof. The bearings 67 and 68 are secured by means of a plate 69 to the corresponding support member. The drive shafts 32 and 33 extend through the bearings 67 and 68 and are supported thereby. The left central and right central carriages 20a and 20b respectively engage the bearings 67 and 68 respectively to be limited in their inward movement thereby.

The louvers 11, in the form shown are constructed of an opaque fabric material, but it is to be understood that the louvers 11 may be constructed of other suitable material and may comprise substantially rigid slats constructed of metal or the like. A pair of stationary louvers 70 and 71 are secured in the support members 12 and 13 adjacent the opposite ends thereof. The louvers 70 and 71 are secured in the guide slots 16 and 17 of the support members 12 and 13 by means of clamping elements 72 which are secured against the upper and lower surfaces of the opening-defining portions of the guide members 14 and 15. The louvers 70 and 71 are disposed between the control elements 46 and 60 respectively and the exterior side of the window opening to restrict the access of these control elements from the exterior of the window.

Operation When the louvers 11 are to be moved from the position thereof shown in FIG. 1 wherein the louvers are drawn across the Window and are disposed substantially parallel with each other and with the support members 12 and 13, one of the control elements 46 or 60 will be operated. If the control element 46 is operated, the upper and lower sprockets 41 will be rotated simultaneously to cause simultaneous rotation of the upper and lower pinion gears 43 and 44 and rotation of the drive shafts 32 and 33. Rotation of the drive shafts 32 and 33 causes corresponding rotation of each of the worms 34 in each of the carriages 20 and a corresponding rotation of the worm gears 37 and the rotary interconnections 24 which turn the louvers about individual axes. The drive shafts 32 and 33 must be turned through several revolutions in order to cause a small movement of the worm gears 37 and louvers 11. Because the drive shafts 32 and 33 are supported in the central portions thereof by means of bearings 67 and 68, the rotation of the drive shafts is free and easy. It should be noted that the drive shafts may only be turned by operation of the control element 46. The louver hook shaft 25 may not be manually turned to cause rotation of the drive shaft 32 and the other louvers. When the louvers are positioned substantially parallel to the support members, access cannot be had from the outside of the window to the control element 46. This is of particular importance as where the louvers 'are constructed of a rigid material such as metal or wood.

Operation of the traverse control element 60 will cause rotation of the sprockets 50 and 51 and will cause movement of the drive elements 53 and 54. As these drive elements 53 and 54 are moved from the position thereof shown in FIG. 4, the left central and right central carriages 29a and 2012 respectively are moved outwardly toward the opposite ends of the support members and along drive shafts 32 and 33. The projections 23 of carriages 20 slide along the inner surface of guide members 14 and 15 to assure that the carriages 20 will remain in the desired position.

After the louvers 11 have been drawn from the center portion of the window opening to the sides thereof, the traverse control element 60 may again be operated to close the louvers. The flexible drive elements 53 and '54 will draw the left central and right central carriages 20a and 20b toward the center of the support members 12 and 13 and the spacer elements 61, 62, 63 and 64 will draw the remainder of the carriages inwardly toward the center of the window opening and support members after the adjacent carriages have been spaced at their maximum distance as limited by the spacer elements.

It should be noted that as the louvers 11 shift toward the center of the window openings, the spacer tapes which interconnect the carriages cause a substantially equal force to be applied on both sides of the carriages so that the worms 34 will slide freely along drive shafts 32 and 33 and will not bind thereon. When the louvers 11 have been drawn toward the outer sides of the window openings, they will nest into an area of small compass and the carriages 20 will rest against each other in closely spaced relation.

It may be desired to move the louvers only part way toward the sides of the window opening, in which case certain of the louvers will be nested together and other of the louvers will retain their original spacing. Even though the louvers have been moved from their original positions in spaced relation with each other, they may be turned about their individual axes by operation of the rotation control element 46. When the rotary drive shafts 32 and 33 are rotated the projections 23 of housings 21 bear against the inner guide surfaces of the support members 12 and 13 and restrict rotation of the carriages.

Because the housings 2-1 of the carriages 20 are substantially completely enclosed, no dust, debris or other deteriorating media may come into contact with the gears 37 and worms 34. The length of the life of these gears is thereby substantially lengthened. The support members or channels 12 and 13 substantially completely enclose the entire louver-controlling mechanisms and thereby protect these mechanisms from damaging influences. The drive shafts 32 and 33 are offset from the guide opeings 16 and 17 and thereby are precluded from coming into contact with any obstructing elements which might be inserted through these glide slots 16 and 17. Because the drive shafts 32 and 33 are protected, no dust or other clogging media will be collected thereon so as to hinder the slida'bility of the carriages along the drive shafts. The carriages are thereby freely and easily slid-able on the drive shafts even though the number of carriages greatly exceeds that shown as in the case where the window to be covered is of considerable expanse.

It will be seen that we have provided a new and improved window blind assembly wherein the blinds are mounted in such a manner that they may be easily moved across the window opening even though the window may have a very considerable width or expanse and wherein the mechanism for moving the louvers 'across the window opening and on individual axes is constructed for ease of operation and assembly in manufacture.

It should also be noted that we have provided a novel louvered window blind, the louvers of which may be rotated or moved across the window opening only by operation of controls which are disposed inwardly of the window opening and to which access is limited from the outer side of the window opening so as to deter the opening of the blinds and access into the room from the outer side thereof.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of th parts without departing from the scope of our invention which consists of the matter shown and described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for anchoring window blind slats at one side of a window opening, said apparatus comprising a rigid mounting member fixed at one side of the window opening, a rotary drive shaft on the mounting member and extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of carriages for anchoring and operating the slats, each of the carriages including a housing having a worm chamber formed therein and opening to the exterior in both axial directions, a worm in said worm chamber and having an axial socket opening slidably and non-rotatably receiving said drive shaft therethrough, said housing also having a worm gear chamber in side-by-side, intercomrnunicating relation with said worm chamber and said worm gear chamber opening to the exterior of the housing in at least one axial direction substantially normal to the direction of opening of the worm chamber, a worm gear in said worm gear chamber and meshed with the Worm and having an integral shaft portion projecting outwardly from the housing, said Worm gear in the integral shaft portion thereof being hollow with a substantially closed end on the shaft portion, said end defining a restricted guide opening therein, a shank extening through said guide opening and into the hollow interior of the wormgear and shaft portion, said shaft being connectible to the end of a slat, and a spring in the hollow interior of the worm gear and shaft portion and bearing against the shank portion to exert tension on the slat and means restricting rotation of said housing relative to the mounting member.

2. Apparatus for anchoring and controlling the rotary and linear movements of a window blind slat, said apparatus comprising a rigid and elongated mounting member extending along and afiixed at one side of the window opening, an elongated drive shaft extending along said mounting member, means journalling the opposite ends of said shaft on the mounting member, a plurality of carriageshaving thereon, gear means slidably and nonrotatably connected with said shaft, means interconnect: ing the end of each respective slat with the gear means of a corresponding carriage, a pair of stub shafts each disposed at a respective end of the mounting member and journalled thereon transversely of a mounting memher and drive shaft, each of said stub shafts having a rotary drive element non-rotatably mounted thereon, a pair of elongated flexible control elements each trained over a respective drive element for operating the corre sponding stub shaft, one of said stub shafts having a pinion gear affixed thereon and also having a rotary sheave mounted thereon for rotation relative to the stub shaft, the other of the stub shafts having a rotary driving sheave affixed thereon, an elongated endless and flexible element extending along said mounting member and trained around said sheave and having opposite runs which move in diiferent directions when said last mentioned stub shaft is rotated, each of said runs being connected with a respective carriage intermediate the ends of the mounting member, whereby the rotary and linear movements of the carriages and the slats is readily controlled from opposite ends of the mounting member.

3. Apparatus for anchoring window blind slats at one side of a window opening, said apparatus comprising a rigid mounting member affixed at one side of the window opening, a rotary drive shaft on the mounting meniber and extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of carriages for anchrong and operating the slats, each of the carriages including a housing having a worm chamber formed therein and opening to the exterior in both axial directions, a worm in said worm chamber and having an axial socket opening slidably and non-rotatably receiving said drive shaft therethrough, said housing also having a worm gear chamber in side-by-side inter-communicating relation with said worm chamber and said worm gear chamber opening to the exterior of the housing in both axial directions normal to the direction of opening of said worm chamber, a worm gear in said worm gear chamber and meshed with the worm and having an integral shaft portion projecting outwardly from the housing, said worm gear and the integral shaft portion thereof being hollow with a substantially closed end on the shaft portion, said end defining a restricted guide opening therein, a shank extending through said guide opening and through hollow interior of the worm gear and shaft portion and extending through the housing, said shank being connectible to the end of a slat, a spring in the hollow interior of the worm gear and bearing against the substantially closed end of the shaft portion, and also bearing against the shank portion at a position outside of the housing to exert tension on the slat, and means restricting rotation of said housing relative to the mounting member.

4. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein said shank is non-circular in cross section, and wherein said means restricting rotation includes the opening-defining portions of said restricted guide opening which is shaped to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the shank.

5. In a Venetian blind having vertical slats, the combination of: a hook adapted to engage one extremity of a slat, a worm gear slidably and non-rotatably mounted upon said hook, a housing having a bore therethrough formed to support said worm gear and permit each extremity of said hook to project from said housing, a second bore in said housing communicating with said first bore, a drive shaft projecting through said second bore, a worm slidably but non-rotatably mounted upon said drive shaft rotatably supported within said second bore in mesh with said Worm gear and means formed on said housing as a support therefor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,135,647 Streby Nov. 8, 1938 2,180,311 Nisenson Nov. 14, 1939 2,591,775 Bopp et al. Apr. 8, 1952 2,599,884 Bennett June 10, 1952 2,625,219 Peck Jan. 13, 1953 2,755,854 Mclntire July 24, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent Noa 3 O6l OO5 October 3O 1962 Edward Otto Bopp et a1a I It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 7 lines 18 and 19 for "extening" read extending line 20 for "shaftm second occurrence read shank column 8 line 5 for "anchrong read anchoring Signed and sealed this 23rd day of July 1963o (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID A Attesting Officer Q Commissioner of Patents 

